| In today's saturated IT industry, there are many | | | | Make them consider you.3. DO create an account |
| capable employees who find themselves stuck in | | | | and resume on the major IT job sites.Tech job |
| a help desk position. Many of these people have | | | | employers put many of their job openings on the |
| college degrees and even some more advanced | | | | major job search sites, such as and Both of |
| certifications to their credit. Still, for many of | | | | these sites allow you to create an account and |
| these people, they are unable to find a way to | | | | resume that includes your skills and certifications. |
| break out of this entry-level IT position and avoid | | | | Often, just having your resume on those sites will |
| career stagnation.I am going to share with you | | | | draw employers to YOU if they are looking for |
| five key strategies that have allowed me to | | | | certain skills. They may be looking to fill a position |
| stand out in this sea of similarly qualified IT | | | | for a junior network admin and putting in |
| candidates and further my career. Like many of | | | | "CCNA" as a keyword search. If your |
| you, my first job was supporting software for | | | | profile/resume contains "CCNA"...they |
| customers in my company's help desk. I knew | | | | may contact you to interview.4. DON'T make |
| from day 1 that I could not let myself become | | | | yourself into something you aren't.The IT industry |
| complacent in that job. Here are five things I did | | | | is the wrong field to try and fake your way |
| to work towards getting out of that help desk:1. | | | | through an interview. If a job posting puts |
| DO work towards the more popular industry | | | | emphasis on SQL Server database administration |
| certifications.Computer certifications such as | | | | for example, don't assume you can read a book |
| Microsoft's MCSE and Cisco's CCNA may be more | | | | on it and you're suddenly qualified. If you were to |
| popular and widespread than ever, but that | | | | squeak by in an interview, you would certainly be |
| doesn't mean you should dismiss working towards | | | | found out while on the job. Shoot straight with |
| and obtaining them. In fact, it should be the exact | | | | employers. Let them know what you're really |
| reason you WANT to obtain them. They've | | | | strong in and that you're willing to learn quickly in |
| almost become prerequisites in many IT positions | | | | areas you're less qualified in. Honesty and |
| beyond the help desk. Employers EXPECT to see | | | | enthusiasm in an interview are a much better |
| that you've taken the time to earn these popular | | | | policy than fluffing yourself up.5. DO build up your |
| industry certifications. There may be many | | | | skill setThe most important thing to employers in |
| candidates out there with them, but be certain | | | | the IT industry is EXPERIENCE. They want to see |
| you're not one of the candidates without them.2. | | | | that you have verifiable experience in the skills |
| DO make your current employer aware of your | | | | they're looking for. Education is important and can |
| desire to advance.Don't wait for your boss to talk | | | | help in advancing, but an impressive skill set is |
| with you about more specialized positions in the | | | | worth so much more. Do you have experience |
| company. You need to take the initiative and let | | | | administering Microsoft Exchange Server? How |
| them know that you're eager to be considered | | | | many years experience can you show them that |
| for positions that open up. If you don't show | | | | you were a network administrator? Emphasize |
| them that, then they will most likely be happy | | | | your skills and experience above everything.Chris |
| letting you stay at the help desk. After all, if | | | | Baker is a systems administrator for a Hispanic |
| you're doing a good job there and seem to be | | | | Business 500 company in central Florida. |
| content...they have no reason to consider you. | | | | |